Ohio State, Gonzaga Tip at 7:45 p.m. Saturday in Boise

Ohio State and The NCAA Tournament
Ohio State is making its 28th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Overall, Ohio State has a 50-26 record all-time in NCAA Tournament play. The Buckeyes have advanced to play in 10 Final Fours, have finished as the runner up four times (1939, 1961, 1962, 2007) and own one title (1960). Ohio State finished third four times (1944, 1945, 1946, 1968). The Buckeyes played in four-consecutive NCAA “Sweet 16s,” a record accomplishment for Ohio State and the longest streak in the country from 2010-13. Ohio State last accomplished three consecutive “Sweet 16s” from 1960-62. The Buckeyes have made 14 “Sweet 16” appearances in NCAA Tournament play.

The 2018 Buckeyes-NCAA Tournament Stats
The 2017-18 Ohio State roster had nine games of combined NCAA Tournament experience and two starts entering the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Those numbers doubled to 18 games of experience and starts improved to seven after the opening round win over South Dakota State Thursday. The team had a total of 25 points and 16 rebounds in 98 minutes during NCAA Tournament play before the SDSU win. Graduate Andrew Dakich has played in four NCAA Tournament games, three during his undergraduate years at Michigan. He has played a total of 36 minutes (8 at UM), recording six rebounds and scoring five points. Keita Bates-Diop has been in three NCAA games, averaging 10.0 ppg with 4.3 rebound. He has played 55 total minutes in three games. He attempted two 3-pointers, making both, before going for 24 points and 12 rebounds vs. the Jackrabbits. Jae’Sean Tate has made three appearances, all starts in NCAA Tournament games. He has tallied 19 rebounds and 27 points. He has made 11 of 17 field goals (.647) in NCAA play. Kam Williams has made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and has recorded 47 minutes of game action with 22 points and six rebounds.

Series History vs. Gonzaga
Ohio and Gonzaga have played twice previously, a 73-66 win for the Buckeyes in the 2012 NCAA Tournament at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh March 15 and earlier this season in the PK80 Invitational in Portland, Oregon. The Zags won that game 86-59. Gonzaga was ranked No. 17 in the first meeting and enterted the NCAA Tournament in the No. 6 spot. Ohio State is 7-6 all-time vs. teams currently representing the West Coast Conference. Gonzaga is the last WCC team to face the Buckeyes.

Last Time vs. Gonzaga
Game 5
No. 17 Gonzaga 86, Ohio State 59
Nov. 23, 2017, Portland
PORTLAND, Oregon — Johnathan Williams had 21 points and No. 17 Gonzaga was boosted by an enthusiastic crowd during an 86-59 victory over Ohio State in the Phil Knight Invitational. Josh Perkins added 20 points for the Bulldogs. C.J. Jackson and Jae’Sean Tate each scored 12 points for Ohio State. The Buckeyes took an early 14-10 lead in this one on Jackson’s 3 pointer, but Gonzaga responded with an 11-2 run to go up 21-16, capped by Perkins’ 3. Ohio State climbed back into it, pulling briefly in front 22-21 on Kam Williams’ 3-pointer. It didn’t last long and the Zags pushed their lead to 33-27 on Williams’ dunk. Perkins’ 3-pointer at the end of the first half put the Gonzaga fans on their feet and the Bulldogs went into halftime with a 44-31 lead.

Noting the South Dakota State Game

– The game marked the first matchup between Ohio State and South Dakota State.

– The Buckeyes made their 28th appearance in the NCAA tournament, and their first since the 2015 season.

– The Buckeyes entered the tournament as a No. 5 seed for the first time in program history.

– Ohio State holds a 50-26 all-time record in the NCAA tournament.

– The Buckeyes hold a 7-4 record all-time when playing in the West region.

– Ohio State attempted a season-high 40 3-pointers in the contest. The 40 attempts from deep were also the most in program history and the most in the NCAA Tournament far surpassing the previous high of 26 set against George Mason in 2011. The most previously taken in a game was against Florada A&M (36) Jan. 30, 2006.

– The Buckeyes attempted more 3-point field goals (40) than 2-point field goals (32) in the contest.

– Ohio State is 4-0 this season when making 10+ 3-pointers in a contest (12).

– Ohio State outscored South Dakota State 18-2 on the fast break.

– The Buckeyes recorded their third double-digit steal total of the season by recording 10 thefts.

– Three Buckeyes scored 20 or more points in the game vs. SDSU: Bates-Diop (24), Williams (22) and Jackson (20). The last time three Buckeyes scored 20+ in a game was against Indiana Jan. 31, 2009 in a 93-81 win for the Buckeyes. Evan Turner led the way with 29 points while William Buford add 24 ahead of Jon Diebler’s 21.

– Ohio State is 12-1 in games in which Keita Bates-Diop records a double-double this season, and 18-1 all-time in such contests.

– The last time Ohio State had a player record a double double in an NCAA Tournament game was March 22, 2013 by Sam Thompson (20/10) vs. Iona.

– The Buckeyes are 3-0 in contests in which they are tied at the half (43 all vs. SDSU).

– Ohio State is 20-3 in games in which they outrebound their opponents (47-39).

– The Buckeyes nabbed 15 offensive board leading to 19 second chance points.

– Chris Holtmann has made the NCAA Tournament four consecutive years (three at Butler, one at Ohio State). He has one his NCAA Tournament opener in each of his NCAA Tournament appearances.

– Holtmann holds 5-3 overall record in the NCAA Tournament including a 4-3 record at Butler.

– Keita Bates-Diop scored a team-high 24 points while grabbing 12 rebounds and adding an assist and a block in the contest.

– Bates-Diop recorded his 13th double-double of the season, and the 19th of his career.

– Bates-Diop’s 24 points bring his career total to 1,244 and move him up to the 34th spot on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list.

– Tate’s eight points gives him 1,501 for his career and moves him past Troy Taylor (1,497) for the 19th spot on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list. He now needs 16 points to reach Evan Turner who sits at the 18th spot on the list with 1,517 career points.

– Kam Williams scored a season-high 22 points, adding five rebounds, two assists, and a season-high three steals.

– Williams’ 22 points give him 1,038 points for his career and bump him up to the 51st spot on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list.

– Andrew Dakich scored five points, adding four rebounds, three assists, and a career-high three steals for the Buckeyes.

– C.J. Jackson scored 20 points to go with a career-high nine rebounds. He also added five assists and a steal.

Holtmann vs. the Ranked
In seven seasons as a head coach, three at Gardner Webb (2011-13), three at Butler (2015-17) and one at Ohio State, Chris Holtman is 15-18 overall against opponents ranked among the Associated Press Top 25. He was 0-2 at GW and 13-13 at Butler. His teams were 6-9 vs. Top 10 foes at Butler and 3-4 vs. Top 5 opponents. He is 2-3 at Ohio State.

Ohio State vs. The Ranked
The Buckeyes have an all-time record of 165-262 (2-3 in 2017-18) vs. ranked opponents in the Associated Press Top 25. That includes a mark of 70-132 vs. Top 10 foes. As a ranked team, Ohio State is 502-147 all-time. In games when both teams enter with a Top 25 ranking, Ohio State is 76-75. When ranked among the Top 10 nationally, Ohio State is 336-76.